Banks have specialized in targetting discreet client segments – from multinational conglomerates to rural “mom and pop shops” – in Asia and the Middle East. That’s according to Asset Benchmark Research (ABR), which in early 2017 conducted their annual Treasury Review, a survey of CFOs and treasurers on their satisfaction with transaction banks.

The Treasury Review includes a rating, the Client Satisfaction Index (CSI), of the best transaction banks in treasury, cash management and trade finance, which incorporates views of 790 participants via an online questionnaire and a series of one-on-one interviews.

In the small and medium enterprise (SME) client segment, Taiwanese banks Taipei Fubon Bank and E.Sun Bank took the first and second spots for client satisfaction, respectively. In recent years the two banks have been active in improving their digital services and providing smaller companies with greater control over their payment processes.

Shanghai-based Bank of Communications took third place in the SME client segment, jumping up a spot from last year and indicating an improvement in their transaction banking services.

In the MNC/LLC client segment for global and regional banks, Deutsche Bank achieved the highest rating, proving the Frankfurt-based institution to be a major player for companies world-wide. Last year in China, Deutsche Bank successfully worked with technology supplier Bosch on its first cross-border renminbi netting transaction.

DBS took the second spot in the MNC/LLC rankings for global and regional banks, followed by HSBC, reflecting the importance of these institutions in improving treasury efficiency in the region.

In the MNC/LLC client segment for local banks, Bank Danamon, ICBC and China Merchants Bank took top spots for client satisfaction, showcasing their growing ability to serve high-profile clients.

To see the rankings and information about our methodology please click here.

To learn more about the Treasury Review please click here.

For country and service analyses please get in touch with ABR at [email protected]